A diplomatic disgrace

Advantages: The funny parts are hilarious, some interesting cultural snippets
Disadvantages: much unnecessary political stuff; unlikeable author

...Brigid Keenan's "Diplomatic Baggage" is a prime example of one of those books where one does not have to particularly like the narrator in order to gain enjoyment from reading. Perhaps it's hard to believe that I laughed out loud while reading this on an aeroplane, but seconds later found myself involuntarily clenching my fists and seething in anger? But that is exactly how I felt, reading these memoirs of a "trailing spouse". A "trailing spouse", for those who don't know, is the wife (sometimes the husband, though, I am sure) of a diplomat, member of the armed forces or even an international businessman, who follows their husband around the world, living wherever the job takes them. Brigid Keenan's husband is a British diplomat who worked mostly for the European Union, taking up postings in places such Barbados, India, Trinidad...

fizzytom 05.10.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Diplomatic Baggage - Brigid Keenan

DIPLOMATIC COOKING

Advantages: Looks like an authentic Auger
Disadvantages: Oven too close to the floor.

...the kitchen planner, I was informed that Diplomat appliances were exclusive to M.F.I. and were not marketed by anyone else, (hence the fruitless search). The Diplomat 850 Dual Fuel Range cooker is not your average double sized range. It is only 850mm wide as opposed to the larger ones at 1000mm. Having quite a small kitchen a 1000mm range would have been too big. It is the usual 600mm deep to keep in line with the units and has adjustable feet, which can adapt the height from 900-915mm to keep it in line with worktops. The appearance of the cooker is second only to a real Auger, the old fashioned means of cooking, whereby you would fill a fissure with natural fuel like wood or coal and keep it going. In this day and age of ?speed is of the essence?, it is no longer practical so therefore this is the next best thing. It is supplied in...

jewels 17.08.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Diplomat Range 850

Hotel International

Advantages: Location, breakfasts
Disadvantages: Poor rooms

...I recently went on a cultural girlie trip with a friend to Paris. I was left to do all the booking. I was looking for a reasonable hotel, near a metro stop, which included breakfast. I came across the Hotel International on various travel sites and it seemed fairly highly rated so I booked us in for three nights. LOCATION: The hotel is located 6 Rue Auguste Barbier in the 11th Arrondissement. The nearest Metro stop is Garcourt which was a two minute walk away and it was a five minute walk to Republique which gives good links to other lines. It's not really central enough to avoid the Metro and walk to the attractions but it was located so close to a stop that it seemed ideal. PRICE: Prices vary depending on size of room and season. There are singles, doubles and triples available. We paid Euro254 for the whole time...

tartlette83 17.06.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hotel International, Paris

The Strand Palace Hotel

Advantages: Central location, clean
Disadvantages: Food, rooms

...We stayed at this hotel in London a little over a month ago now for two nights, we chose this hotel mainly because of the central location and because it was only a ten minuite walk from the show we had booked to go too. Check in was very quick - About ten minuites and the staff at the reception seemed very friendly. My first thoughts on the hotel was that it looked really clean and that it was nicely decorated and it looked modern. I was a little dissapointed with our room as it was very small and basic, our room had a double bed, tea and coffee making facilities, a tv with satellite and a small, basic en suite bathroom with a shower. The views from our room very very poor - A block of offices which made our room dark as they were so close. The hotel has two bars and two resturaunts, the bars were again nicely decorated...

kate44 03.05.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of The Strand Palace Hotel, London

Diplomatic Immunity!

Advantages: Great sequel
Disadvantages: Not as good as the first film

...home and then the partners are assigned to the protection of Leo Getz, set to testify against South Africans for whom he has been laundering. Everything comes together as Riggs and Murtaugh close in on the SA crooks. Then Leo is kidnapped and their fellow police officers are attacked...... The Cast and Performances Mel Gibson is once again very good as Martin Riggs. The character does not seem as much of a loose cannon as in the original film in 1987, but Gibson still gives it a big cowboy performance. Glover is sufficiently consistent as Murtaugh, and is the solid member of the cast around which everything else seems to be based. Joe Pesci is hyperactive as the naive Federal witness Leo Getz, and Patsy Kensit provides a love interest with a bad South African accent. Joss Ackland is excellent as South African crook and diplomat Arjen...

pmcds 10.03.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Lethal Weapon 2 (DVD)

sachas hotel

Advantages: good price,great location
Disadvantages: no window

...****Sachas hotel- Manchester**** I booked this hotel last minute as i had a job interview in Manchester and needed somewhere quite cheap ,that was also near the centre. **Location/Getting there** This hotel is located in Tibb street which is a 2 minute walk from Piccadily Gardens or 10 minutes away from Chorlton street bus station.The Train station is a little bit further away say maybe a twenty minute walk but i don't think that this is that bad .You can also get a tram from Piccadily gardens and this goes to quite a few places.You could also get a taxi to the hotel but i am not sure what parking is like if you were to take your own car. **Reception/staff** Since i had never been to Manchester before i phoned and asked the staff for directions -they were very nice and helped me out.When i got there i think i got the same...

katie22008m 04.09.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Britannia Sachas Hotel, Manchester

Fantastic Hotel

Advantages: Fantastic Food
Disadvantages: Lifts are quite small

...When we decided to make a return trip to Benalmedina we opted to go to the four star Hotel Las Arenas as it was recommended by friends. It is slightly further out just opposite the Castle Bill Bill and when you cross the road it?s a flat walk all the way to the marina which is away from the large hills on which many of the other hotels are located. Reception On arrival check in was swift and at this time we opted to pay for a safety deposit box we were then handed the safe key and card key to room 524 and pointed in the direction of the lifts. On looking round reception it was laid out with tables and chairs and also had a grand piano, a small bar ,toilets and computers with internet access. There is a large board telling you about entertainment available during the day and at night. The whole area was laid out for wheelchair access...

elspeth334 15.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Las Arenas Hotel, Benalmadena

hotel olsanka

Advantages: Cheap and cheerful
Disadvantages: Not so easy to access the town centre of prague.

...hotel olsanka prague Having been to prague recently and having stayed at this particular accomodation a few years ago, I was keen to give this place one final chance as I had had a really rubbish stay at this place. Similarly to my previous stay, I had notice that the Hotel seems to be advertised much cheaper on accomodation websites compared to near enough all other places to stay in prague. getting to the accomodation The details of getting to prague town centre are covered in my previous prague accomodation review, and whilst this accomodation is not as easy to get to location wise, a tram journey needed to get the accomodation from one of the central location's of prague town centre. booking process I booked this accomodation using a third party reservation booking website and paid around seventy euros...

costas1234 02.12.2008 (31.05.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Hotel Olsanka, Prague

The Perfect Boutique Hotel

Advantages: Fabulous decor; impeccable customer service;
Disadvantages: I had to leave!

...Last week my boyfriend turned 26 and I wanted to surprise him and take him away somewhere swanky for a short break. We both work very hard and long hours so I was after somewhere where we could relax and switch off from everything for a couple of days and just feel a bit pampered. After lots of research, Dublin seemed like the ideal place and after checking out some reviews on tripadvisor, The Dylan hotel looked like the perfect choice, being rated the 2nd best hotel in the city. The Dylan is a 5 star boutique hotel based slightly outside of Dublin's main centre in a 19th-century townhouse that used to house the nurses of the nearby hospital. It's located on the South side of town by the canal in a quiet side street in a residential part of town, so you're unlikely to be bothered by any noise, but is a quick and very straightforward...

bubblegum_princess 26.01.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Dylan Hotel, Dublin

ONE FOR THE HOTEL INSPECTOR

Advantages: Location, price & views
Disadvantages: Standard of rooms, maintenance issues, no parking & pretty much no standards

...Just before I begin my review of The Claremont Lions hotel in Eastbourne I would just like to quote the description of the hotel on its brochure, I hope this is ok I just want to give you an insight into what I was led to believe I was booking into. "Welcome to the Claremont.. A grade 2 Listed Victorian hotel situated in a prime position opposite the pier and famous carpet gardens with its fantastic views across the channel. The Claremont offers an excellent standard of accommodation, food, service and a very warm welcome. In our sea view Compton restaurant we take particular pride in serving meals using the best local ingredients. You will be impressed by the sense of space in the public areas. The rich wood finish and leather Chesterfields give a feeling of a boutique style. There is a new ground floor bar offering service...

gemax2 25.05.2008 (26.05.2008) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Claremont Hotel, Eastbourne